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Garden Gate:  Red Osier Dogwood (red twig)  |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 4:45:04 PM
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Help, please! I planted this plant this spring from a bareroot stock. It seems to be growing tall and wide, but it looks puny. The cutter bees (or something) have taken big bites out of the leaves in half circles, and it has a yellowish leaf color. I've amended the soil with compost at planting time and also given a dressing of compost later, but that's all I've done so far. I know they don't like dry weather, which we're having, but I am watering regularly. Suggestions?
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 8:02:09 PM
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| Might just be transplant shock...I usually try to plant anything like that in the fall...I had to put my dogwood in about 4 different places before I found it a spot it was happy in. Which was mostly morning sun/afternoon evening shade, and dogwoods grow native in my part of Washington! Try laying down newspaper and then putting mulch on top, the newspaper will keep the ground damper than just mulch alone.Good luck Clare! |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 9:05:36 PM
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They are usually planted in mass and in areas of damp , not soggy conditions and frequently understory plantings. Are they in full sun in this heat? Our zones are vastly different so my growing conditions may not be yours but this is true everywhere: 1st year roots, 2nd year foliage, 3rd year flowers . They should be putting out a fiberous root system with several forked "tap" roots. Does it seem well rooted for the time planted? I bet the bites are from the dreadful invasion of beetles this year and probably nothing to worry about unless they are completely defoliated. Transplant shock usually occurs the first weeks after planting with a severe wilting or complete and total leaf drop. Also check the stems for pin like holes because these plants are susceptible to borer. If you get good fall color and the leaves all drop you will probably be fine (if it's not borers). Keep us posted!
with a happy heart |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2005 : 02:29:04 AM
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I went back and looked and didn't see any little holes in them, but one branch has little brown spots on the leaves. Looks like rust spots, maybe? Maybe I shouldn't be doing overhead watering but rather just ground level soaking. It probably gets a good 3/4 day of sunshine, so maybe it's a bit much for it. I don't have alot of options on where to plant it, so I guess I'll see if it can adapt. I should have picked up a couple more to keep it company, but I got it at our master gardeners arbor day give away this spring, well each bare root stock was $3, so almost give away.... perhaps they'll have more next year and I can rethink the whole planting arrangement. Thanks!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2005 : 11:34:06 AM
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Clare--Sounds like a good plan! I also forgot to mention that they are one of the first plants to start to show fall on it's way along with burning bush. Are you seeing any coloration in them yet? I suspect if we don't get some rain and a break in this excessive heat we will have a shortened coloration time this fall due to drought stress. The burning bushes here on the highway median are already starting to turn and it's about a month early. Locust trees are showing it too so look around , they might just be showing the signs of things to come.
with a happy heart |
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Garden Gate: Red Osier Dogwood (red twig) |
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Red Osier Dogwood (red twig)
